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. 2001 Mar;85(3):357–359. doi: 10.1136/bjo.85.3.357

Ocular significance of intraventricular haemorrhage in premature infants

M O'Keefe, N Kafil-Hussain, I Flitcroft, B Lanigan
PMCID: PMC1723883  PMID: 11222347

Abstract

AIM—To document ocular outcome in premature infants with intraventricular haemorrhages (IVH).
METHODS—68 preterm infants with IVH were examined.
RESULTS—Mean gestational age was 28.1 weeks (range 24-35). Mean birth weight was 1045.9 g (630-2240). Mean follow up was 54.6 months (6-150). IVH is graded from 1 to 4 based on the severity of haemorrhages. The incidence of ocular abnormalities was compared between low grade IVH (grade 1 and 2) and high grade IVH (grade 3 and 4). Of the 68 infants with IVH, ROP occurred in 33 infants (48.5%); 13 (43.3%) had low grade IVH; 20 (52.6%) had high grade IVH. Strabismus developed in 30 infants (44.1%); 14 (46.6%) had low grade IVH; 16 (42.1%) had high grade IVH. Infants with high grade IVH were at significant greater risk than infants with low grade IVH for the development of optic atrophy (31.5% v 16.6%), hydrocephalus (57.8% v 10%).
CONCLUSION—This study highlights the serious significance of all grades of IVH with the higher incidence of optic atrophy and hydrocephalus with high grade IVH.



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Selected References

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